Golden Gate pays tribute to 9/11 victims

While thousands gathered in New York City to reflect on the lives lost Sept. 11, 2001, Golden Gate residents united for their own remembrance.

About 50 residents along with members of the local police, fire department, Golden Gate High School JROTC and Golden Gate Middle School band assembled at the town's government center off for a ceremony to commemorate the victims of 9/11 on Saturday morning.

"It's as important here as it is in New York City," said Kaydee Tuff, secretary of the Golden Gate Civic Association. "We are all Americans. We feel the pain as much as New York does."

They filled a courtyard facing a flagpole with Old Glory proudly waving. Some wore American flag pins. Children were dressed in red, white and blue and a man sat in his wheelchair clutching a miniature flag.

A silence came over the audience 10 minutes before the start of the ceremony; not even children made a sound. Sgt. Maj. William Barchers of the Golden Gate High JROTC spoke the first words to cut the silence, welcoming attendees and pleading religious tolerance.

"We are not waging a war on a religion," said Barchers in uniform, referring to a Gainesville pastor's intent all week to burn the Quran.

"We are against a specific group of people that mean to destroy the United States."

Everyone stood up for the "Pledge of Allegiance" and the "National Anthem." Most held their hands to their hearts while gazing directly toward the flag still flying high. Officers later brought the flag to half-staff.

"We need to pull together as a community," said Marcella Heinz, a Golden Gate resident whose husband and son both served in Iraq, "We need to keep this fresh in our minds because it's not over yet. It's still ongoing."

All heads bowed when Pastor Stephanie Campbell asked for a moment of silence. A woman wiped a tear from her cheek.

"Amen," said everyone in unison.

One man kept his head down a few more seconds.

After the prayer, members of the Golden Gate Fire and Rescue District rang a bell to honor those who perished in the 9/11 terror attacks.

Rosemary Dohan, a member of the Golden Gate Civic Association, spoke the final words of the ceremony, reading a poem by Roger J. Robicheau.

"Our final thought comes clear to me," she read, "For what must live in infamy." "Absolutely, we'll remember. The 11th of September," she continued.

After a half hour, the crowds dispersed, Collier sheriff's deputies left and the fire trucks were gone, leaving the American flag to stand alone.

"We get in our busy lives and our busy schedules and we forget," said Carolyn Guesetta, a Golden Gate resident, "And we need to remember."